Waste management is one of the biggest issues in urban areas of Nepal. According to a 1997 survey by Nepal’s Central Bureau of Statistics, most urban residents consider solid waste management as the most pressing environmental problem in Nepal’s urban areas. Inefficient waste management system has led to an increase open waste burning.

Clean up Nepal has found through a recent survey at peri-urban settlements such as Thankot and Thaiba that around 80% of households are burning their waste, which includes large quantities of plastics. We have found that a lack of awareness among people about impacts of waste burning on health and environment is one of the main reasons for waste burning.

Clean up Nepal believes students, as primary agents of change, play a significant role in inculcating and spreading awareness of sustainable development. This annual essay contest is organized in an effort to work with students to increase awareness on environmental issues, particularly ones that have a significant adverse impact on community health and well-being, and that communities have a direct ability to mitigate.

THEME FOR 2016

“Waste burning: Its impact and the role of youth to mitigate it”

Many people in our neighborhoods can often be seen burning waste, which also consists of plastic. Open-air burning of waste is seen as a solution to managing waste. After burning, the waste appears to have been reduced but it causes various environmental and health problems like air pollution, unintentional fires, cancer, respiratory problems and skin disease, just to name a few. How does burning waste affect you and your family? How can we prevent waste burning in our neighborhoods and societies? What is the main cause behind this problem and what is the role of each youth to mitigate it?

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Entries will be disqualified if they fail to meet any of the following requirements:

1. Each school can recommend one essay written by their students studying in grades eight, nine or ten. Individual students cannot directly participate in this contest.
2. Essays should not exceed 1500 words and should be written either in English or Nepali.
3. The entry form with individual and school details should be stapled along with the essay. Essays submitted without an entry form will be automatically rejected.
4. Entries may be submitted by email at essays@cleanupnepal.org.np or at one of the three nominated drop-off centres.
5. Essays must be original and unpublished. Plagiarised entries will be disqualified.
6. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted. An entry will be disregarded if there is any indication of external help.
7. Essays that arrive after the deadline will be automatically rejected.
8. The decision made by the judging panel, comprising of members from Clean up Nepal and UNESCO Kathmandu will be final.
9. The copyright of the essays entered will be with the organisers who may choose to reproduce submitted essays in any other format or publication.

DEADLINE

Entries must be received by 15 July 2016. Any essays received after this date will not be considered.

AWARD

1st Prize: NPR 30 000*
2nd Prize: NPR 20 000*
3rd Prize: NPR 10 000*

*Half of the award will go to student and the other half will go to school to be utilised to promote waste management education at the respective school.
*Winners will be announced on 12 August 2016 on the occasion of International Youth Day.
*The winning essay will be featured on Clean up Nepal’s web site and social media page, Setopati.com and Nagarik/Republica National Daily.

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